BIRDING IN LANZAROTE (CANARY ISLANDS)

Tuesday, June 2, 2009 - MAY 2009 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

On May 2009, two new species were added to our list: Sooty Shearwater (1 bird that I observed flying North from Arrecife coast on 26/V). The bird was seen at a good distance for the telescope and the silvery underwings were seen well. The second addition was Little Bittern (1 bird found exhausted at Puerto del Carmen on 19/V and delivered to the veterinary of the recovery center to be taken into care). I was informed by the veterinary about the catch of other exhausted bird at Tías the same day. This is the first XXI century record of Little Bittern for Lanzarote and there is only a previous record for all XX century: a skin of a bird collected in the island before 1919 that was in a private collection at Arrecife. So the pictures that we show here are the first taken of a bird alive in Lanzarote.

About rarities, the only remarkable was the presence of 2 Red-billed Tropicbirds near Los Ajaches coast until 02/V and we didn´t see the birds again since then.

About rare or scarce migrants, 15 Northern Gannets were seen from Arrecife coast on 26/V, 1 Black Kite was seen flying over Teguise golf course on 09/V , 1 Eurasian Oystercatcher at Janubio salt pans on 03 and 10/V, 1 Little Ringed Plover at Los Cocoteros salt pans on 21/V, 2 Little Stints at Los Cocoteros salt pans, 1 Great Skua at Arrecife on 26/V, one of the Gull-billed Terns at the Farm of Famara plains remained there until 01/V, a little flock of 7 or 8 Black Terns were seen on a pelagic trip near Montaña Clara on 01/V, 5 European Bee-eaters were seen at Uga on 03/V, some Red-rumped Swallows were at Famara plains on 01/V, 1 Tree Pipit was seen at Famara plains on 01/V and another bird was seen at Tías golf course on 10/V, 1 Whinchat at Famara plains on 01/V, 1 Western Bonelli´s Warbler was observed near Teguise golf course on 09/V, Eurasian Golden Oriole (1 bird at Puerto del Carmen on 01/V and 6 birds near Caleta de Famara the same day) and 2 Woodchat Shrikes were seen at Famara plains on 01/V.

MAY 2009 COMPLETE LIST

Cory´s Shearwater

Sooty Shearwater

Red-billed Tropicbird

Red-billed Tropicbird. Los Ajaches. Photo: J. Sagardía

Northern Gannet

Little Bittern

Little Bittern. Puerto del Carmen. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Cattle Egret

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Black Kite

Black Kite. Teguise. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Egyptian Vulture

Egyptian Vulture. Famara plains. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Common Kestrel

Eleonora´s Falcon

Barbary Falcon

Barbary Partridge

Houbara Bustard

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Black-winged Stilt

Little Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover

Kentish Plover

Grey Plover

Sanderling

Sanderling. Los Cocoteros salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Little Stint

Dunlin

Bar-tailed Godwit

Whimbrel

Common Redshank

Common Greenshank

Common Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Great Skua

Yellow-legged Gull

Gull-billed Tern

Black Tern

Eurasian Collared Dove

European Turtle Dove

Laughing Dove

Ring-necked Parakeet

Plain Swift

Common Swift

Pallid Swift

European Bee-eater

Hoopoe

Lesser Short-toed Lark

Barn Swallow

Red-rumped Swallow

House Martin

Berthelot´s Pipit

Tree Pipit

Yellow Wagtail

Whinchat

Spectacled Warbler

Western Bonelli´s Warbler

Spotted Flycatcher

Pied Flycatcher

Eurasian Golden Oriole

Shouthern Grey Shrike

Woodchat Shrike

Spanish Sparrow

Common Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

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Monday, May 4, 2009 - APRIL 2009 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

April 2009 started very bad, but we were able to finally add a new species to our list and that will undoubtedly be one of the most spectacular observations of the year: Red-billed Tropicbird (3 birds seen at Puerto del Carmen by Colin Guy, F. J. García Vargas and A. Unquiles Cobos on 26/IV. The birds remained there on 27 and 28/IV (F. J. García Vargas) and only 1 bird was seen there on 30/IV (F. J. García Vargas and J. Sagardía). On 28/IV, 2 birds were seen displaying by Colin Guy in a small cove on a cliff elsewhere on the island that at the moment we prefer to keep confidential, where the birds were seen until at least 02/V (J. Sagardía and M. Rouco). Besides the excellent pictures taken by A. Unquiles that we show in this report, a special photopage of the birds can be seen here).

About rare and scarce migrants, the most interesting was: Northern Gannet (birds were seen in good numbers from Arrecife coast on 17/IV), Eurasian Oystercatcher (1 bird at Janubio salt pans on 14 and 25/IV, remaining there until May), Collared Pratincole (1 bird I saw at Tías golf course on 24/IV), Little Ringed Plover (birds at Janubio and Los Cocoteros salt pans), Great Skua (1 bird seen from Arrecife coast on 17/IV), Gull-billed Tern (1 bird I saw in the farm at Famara plains on 25/IV and 2 birds seen at the same place by A. Unquiles on 26/IV), Wood Pigeon (2 birds that I observed near Teguise golf course on 03/IV), Sand Martin (1 bird at Puerto del Carmen13/IV) and Eurasian Golden Oriole (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía being pursued by a Barbary Falcon near Los Ajaches on 30/IV).

Also noteworthy was the spectacular passage of waders all over the Canary Islands that we detected since 24/IV, which involved spectacular numbers of Dunlins, Whimbrels, Common Redshanks and Common Greenshanks. Curlew Sadpipers were seen in good numbers too and with this passage, 1 Ruff was seen at the farm of Famara plains on 24, 25 and 26/IV, Green Sandpipers were seen at Tías golf course, the farm at Famara and Mala reservoir and 4 Wood Sandpipers at the farm on 24/IV.

APRIL 2009 COMPLETE LIST

Cory´s Shearwater

Red-billed Tropicbird

Red-billed Tropicbird. Puerto del Carmen. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Red-billed Tropicbird. Puerto del Carmen. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Red-billed Tropicbird. Puerto del Carmen. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Red-billed Tropicbird. Puerto del Carmen. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Red-billed Tropicbird. Puerto del Carmen. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Red-billed Tropicbird. Puerto del Carmen. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Northern Gannet
Cattle Egret
Little Egret
Grey Heron
Common Kestrel
Barbary Falcon
Barbary Partridge
Houbara Bustard
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Black-winged Stilt
Stone-curlew
Collared Pratincole

Collared Pratincole. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Little Ringed Plover
Ringed Plover
Kentish Plover
Grey Plover
Sanderling
Little Stint
Curlew Sandpiper

Curlew Sandpiper (with Dunlins). Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Curlew Sandpiper (with Dunlins). Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Dunlin

Dunlin. Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Ruff

Ruff (with Dunlins). Famara plains. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Bar-tailed Godwit
Whimbrel
Common Redshank
Common Greenshank
Green Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper
Common Sandpiper
Ruddy Turnstone
Great Skua
Black-headed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
Gull-billed Tern

Gull-billed Tern. Famara plains. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Gull-billed Tern. Famara plains. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Gull-billed Tern. Famara plains. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Gull-billed Tern. Famara plains. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Gull-billed Tern. Famara plains. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Sandwich Tern
Wood Pigeon
Eurasian Collared Dove
Laughing Dove

Laughing Dove (young). Playa Blanca. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Plain Swift
Common Swift
Pallid Swift
Hoopoe
Lesser Short-toed Lark
Sand Martin
Barn Swallow
House Martin
Berthelot´s Pipit
Yellow Wagtail
Common Redstart
Northern Wheatear
Song Thrush
Spectacled Warbler
Wood Warbler
Willow Warbler
Eurasian Golden Oriole
Southern Grey Shrike
Common Raven
Spanish Sparrow
Common Linnet
Trumpeter Finch

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Sunday, April 26, 2009 - THE RED-BILLED TROPICBIRDS AT PUERTO DEL CARMEN

by Francisco Javier García Vargas and Antonio Unquiles Cobos

During the morning of April 26, I received a phone call from Colin Guy communicating the presence of 2 Red-billed Tropicbirds near Puerto del Carmen harbour. I phoned quickly to Antonio Unquiles, who was near the area and we met there with Colin. At the time of our arrival, the birds have left the place and Colin showed us some pictures in his camera.

But few minutes later, the birds was there again and what was our surprise to find that a third bird appeared.

This was one of the most wanted add to our list and we want to thank Colin Guy for giving us the information very quickly. Colin, we are indebted to you !!!

NEW

-27/IV/2009 NEWS:

The birds were seen at the same place at 10.00 (Colin Guy) and 3 birds at 11.30 (F. J. García Vargas)

-28/IV/2009 NEWS:

2 birds seen flyng over a rocks 200 m. south of the first place at 10.45. 3 birds flying south to the cliffs near Puerto del Carmen harbour at 11.50 and 2 birds flying near the same rocks between 12.00 and 12.10 (F. J. García Vargas)

28/IV/2009 NEW PICS

Red-billed Tropicbird. Puerto del Carmen. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

26/IV/2009 PICS

Red-billed Tropicbird. Puerto del Carmen. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

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Thursday, April 9, 2009 - MARCH 2009 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

On March 2009, a new species has been added to our list: Pomarine Skua (3 birds that I observed from Arrecife coast on 18/III and 2 birds seen from the same place on 25/III).

Rarities seen this month include Mediterranean Gull (1 bird I saw at Arrecife on 12/III), Little Gull (1 bird I observed at Arrecife on 25/III) and Crag Martin (3 birds seen by A. Unquiles at Arrecife on 24/III).

About rare and scarce migrants, seawatching from Arrecife coast has given the greatest joys of the month: Northern Gannet (3 birds on 18/III, 22 birds on 22/III and an undetermined number of birds on 25 and 29/III), Great Cormorant (1 bird on 25/III), Arctic Skua (1 bird on 22/III and 1 bird harassing two Sandwich Terns on 29/III), Great Skua (1 bird on 08/III) and Kittiwake (1 1st winter on 18/III and another roosting into a flock of about 100 Sandwich Terns on 29/III).

Apart from this, the Common Coot was seen last time at Tías golf course on 24/III and a very poor migration only gave 5 Little Riged Plovers at Janubio on 11/III, and 1 bird in the farm at Famara plains on 20 and 22/III), 1 Wood Pigeon near Teguise golf course on 29/III and 5 European Bee-eaters at Famara plains on 24/III as most interesting observations.

MARCH 2009 COMPLETE LIST

Cory´s Shearwater

Northern Gannet

Great Cormorant

Cattle Egret

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Common Kestrel

Common Coot

Houbara Bustard

Black-winged Stilt

Stone-curlew

Stone-curlew (chick). Los Ancones. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Little Ringed Plover

Little Ringed Plover. Famara plains. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Ringed Plover

Kentish Plover

Grey Plover

Sanderling

Little Stint

Dunlin

Bar-tailed Godwit

Whimbrel

Common Redshank

Common Greenshank

Common Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Pomarine Skua

Arctic Skua

Great Skua

Mediterranean Gull

Little Gull

Black-headed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Kittiwake

Sandwich Tern

Wood Pigeon

Wood Pigeon. Teguise. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Eurasian Collared Dove

Laughing Dove

Ring-necked Parakeet

Ring-necked Parakeet. Puerto del Carmen. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Plain Swift

European Bee-eater

European Bee-eater. Famara plains. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Hoopoe

Lesser Short-toed Lark

Crag Martin

Barn Swallow

House Martin

Berthelot´s Pipit

Yellow Wagtail

Grey Wagtail

White Wagtail

European Robin

Song Thrush

Spectacled Warbler

Subalpine Warbler

Southern Grey Shrike

Common Raven

Spanish Sparrow

Common Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

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Sunday, March 8, 2009 - FEBRUARY 2009 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

On February 2009, three new species were added to our list: Great Skua (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía in a pelagic trip to the Chinijo Archipelago (islets at north of Lanzarote) on 14/II). In the same trip, two Little Gulls were seen and some Kittiwakes too. A corpse was found with another live bird by J. Sagardía at Janubio salt pans on 11/II and I could observe three Kittiwakes at Arrecife on 24/II and two birds flying over the sea from La Santa coast on 26/II.

About rarities, the only remarkable was the presence of the Mediterranean Gulls at Arrecife (3 birds on 01/II, 2 birds on 06/II and 4 birds on 24/II).

About rare and scarce migrants and wintering birds, the most interesting of the month was: Black-necked Grebe (4 birds were at Janubio on 22/II, moulting to summer plumage), Northern Gannet (I could see birds in good numbers with very bad weather from Arrecife coast on 01/II and 4 birds at the same place on 06/II), White Stork (a flock of 9 birds was seen by A. Unquiles flying high over Guatiza on 23/II), Eurasian Spoonbill (2 birds at Arrecife on 06/II), Common Coot (the bird at Tías golf course was there until at least 24/II), the Eurasian Oystercatcher near El Golfo coast and Grey Wagtails at Arrecife.

Finally, the presence of 3 Yellow Wagtails at the farm at Famara plains on 26/II is the first sign of a timid start of passerine migration.

FEBRUARY 2009 COMPLETE LIST

Black-necked Grebe

Cory´s Shearwater

Northern Gannet

Cattle Egret

Little Egret

Grey Heron

White Stork

White Stork. Guatiza. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Eurasian Spoonbill

Osprey

Osprey. Montaña Clara. Photo: J. Sagardía

Common Kestrel

Barbary Falcon

Barbary Partridge

Barbary Partridge. Los Ancones. Photo: J. Sagardía

Common Coot

Houbara Bustard

Houbara Bustard. Los Ancones. Photo: J. Sagardía

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Black-winged Stilt

Stone-curlew

Ringed Plover

Kentish Plover

Grey Plover

Sanderling

Little Stint

Bar-tailed Godwit

Whimbrel

Common Redshank

Common Greenshank

Common Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Great Skua

Great Skua. Chinijo Archipelago sea. Photo: J. Sagardía

Mediterranean Gull

Little Gull

Black-headed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Kittiwake

Kittiwake. Chinijo Archipelago sea. Photo: J. Sagardía

Kittiwake. Janubio salt pans. Photo: J. Sagardía

Sandwich Tern

Eurasian Collared Dove

Laughing Dove

Ring-necked Parakeet

Hoopoe

Lesser Short-toed Lark

Lesser Short-toed Lark. Los Ancones. Photo: J. Sagardía

Barn Swallow

House Martin

Berthelot´s Pipit

Yellow Wagtail

Grey Wagtail

White Wagtail

White Wagtail. Zonzamas. Photo: J. Sagardía

Song Thrush

Southern Grey Shrike

Spanish Sparrow

Common Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

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Sunday, February 8, 2009 - JANUARY 2009 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

On January 2009, a new species have been added to our list of birds observed in Lanzarote: Glaucous Gull (1 adult bird was seen at Arrecife on 26/I). Photographs of the bird can be seen here. I was informed of the presence of an adult Glaucous Gull at Playa Blanca on 28/I (COLIN GUY, in litt.) and Juan Antonio Lorenzo informs in his blog CANARY ISLANDS BIRD NEWS about an adult Glaucous Gull at Fuerteventura on 30/I. In my opinion, this three records refer the same bird moving south from Arrecife and reaching Fuerteventura four days after.

On the other hand, we aren´t going to add Herring Gull to our list, because there are many doubts about its correct identification currently.

Other rarities observed were: Mediterranean Gulls, which have stayed all month at Arrecife and remained there on February, Ring-billed Gull (1 1st. winter bird was seen at Arrecife on 10 and 17/I. A record shot of the bird can be seen here) and Audouin´s Gulls (1 bird at Arrecife on 10/I (F. J. García Vargas), 9 birds at Puerto del Carmen on 14/I (F. J. García Vargas), 3 birds at Puerto del Carmen on 15/I (F. J. García Vargas), 2 birds at Puerto del Carmen on 17/I (J. Sagardía) and 2 birds at Puerto del Carmen and 7 birds at Arrecife on 18/I (F. J. García Vargas).

About scarce winter visitors the most interesting was the following: Black-necked Grebe (6 birds at Janubio, seen last time on 29/I and probably remaining there in February), Eurasian Spoonbill (birds at Arrecife: 1 on 10/I, 1 on 18/I, 2 on 25/I, 1 on 29/I and 2 birds remaining there in February), Eurasian Wigeon (1 bird I observed at Tías golf course on 23/I, beeing the first bird we see in several years. This bird has remained there into February), Common Teal (2 birds at Janubio on 09 and 18/I), Common Coot (the bird at Tías golf course looks set to spend the winter here, staying there into February), Eurasian Oystercatcher (1 bird near El Golfo coast on 29/I), Little Stint (2 birds wintering at Los Cocoteros salt pans), Black-tailed Godwit (1 bird at Los Cocoteros salt pans on 31/I), Eurasian Curlew (1 bird at Janubio on 18/I), Green Sandpiper (1 bird at Los Cocoteros on 04/I and 1 bird at Arrecife on 26/I), Grey Wagtail at Arrecife and European Greenfinch (1 bird at Arrecife on 29/I and 8 birds at Teguise on 31/I).

JANUARY 2009 COMPLETE LIST

Black-necked Grebe

Cattle Egret

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Eurasian Spoonbill

Eurasian Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Common Teal

Common Kestrel

Barbary Partridge

Common Coot

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Eurasian Oystercatcher (with Grey Plover). Near El Golfo coast. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Black-winged Stilt

Stone-curlew

Ringed Plover

Kentish Plover

Grey Plover

Sanderling

Little Stint

Dunlin

Black-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Whimbrel

Eurasian Curlew

Common Redshank

Common Greenshank

Green Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Mediterranean Gull

Black-headed Gull

Black-headed Gull. Arrecife. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Audouin´s Gull

Audouin´s Gull. Puerto del Carmen. Photo: J. Sagardía

Ring-billed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Glaucous Gull

Sandwich Tern

Eurasian Collared Dove

Laughing Dove

Ring-necked Parakeet

Hoopoe

Lesser Short-toed Lark

Sky Lark

Sky Lark. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Berthelot´s Pipit

Grey Wagtail

White Wagtail

European Robin

Song Thrush

Blackcap

Common Chiffchaff

Southern Grey Shrike

Spanish Sparrow

European Greenfinch

Common Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

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Monday, January 26, 2009 - GLAUCOUS AND HERRING GULLS AT ARRECIFE (LANZAROTE)

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

On 26/I I could observe a beautiful adult Glaucous Gull at Arrecife. The bird was roosting into a big flock of Yellow-legged and Lesser Black-backed Gulls on a reef at about 200 meters from where I was. The distance, the strong wind and my clumsiness with digiscoping (it´s not made for me!!!) made me only get these horrific pics. I´m going to try to relocate this superb bird to take better photos of it. It is a first for our personal list of birds observed in Lanzarote. There is only a previous record (not submitted) of Glaucous Gull at Lanzarote, so it will be (if accepted) the second record for the island.

Very close to the Glaucous Gull, I could detect an adult Herring Gull, a vagrant to the Canary Islands with only a few records. This is another first for our list and the first record for Lanzarote too.

JANUARY 2009: A GOOD MONTH FOR GULLS IN LANZAROTE

by Francisco Javier García Vargas and Juan Sagardía Pradera

Besides the Glaucous and the Herring Gulls, some interesting observations on gulls have been made at Lanzarote on January 2009.

The Mediterranean Gulls (at least 5 birds) have been all winter at Arrecife. 2 birds are ringed, one with a red ring (we could not read it yet) and the other with a green ring with the white chapters "1X5". This is the history of the bird:

1X5 Left pullus Paris FS63212 03/07/2008 Barbâtre, Polder de Sebastopol, Vendée, FRANCE 46,56N 2,09W

ringed by team Matthieu Vaslin

vv 17/01/2009 1X5 Arrecife, Lanzarote Canary Islands, SPAIN 28,57N 13,33W Sagardia Pradera, Juan

On 09/I, a first-winter Ring-billed Gull was seen at Arrecife (F. J. García Vargas) and relocated there on 17/I by Juan Sagardía Pradera. This is only our second record of this species in Lanzarote. Details and pics of the first record can be seen here.

Finally, a spectacular flock of 9 Audouin´s Gulls was detected at Puerto del Carmen on 14/I. The birds have been moving around the east coast and for example, 2 birds were at Puerto del Carmen and 7 birds were seen at Arrecife few minutes later on 18/I.

Glaucous Gull. Arrecife. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Herring Gull (with Glaucous Gull and Yellow-legged Gull). Arrecife. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Mediterranean Gull. Arrecife. Photo: J. Sagardía

Mediterranean Gull. Arrecife. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Audouin´s Gull. Puerto del Carmen. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Audouin´s Gull. Puerto del Carmen. Photo: J. Sagardía

Audouin´s Gull. Arrecife. Photo: J. Sagardía

Ring-billed Gull. Arrecife. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

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Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - DECEMBER 2008 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

On a December month without remarkable surprises, we haven´t added any new species to our list.

About rarities, the most interesting was the Mediterranean Gulls (at least 5 birds) detected at Arrecife on November and seen last time there on 12/XII. Probably all the birds or part of them have stayed there into January. A Fieldfare was seen at El Bosquecillo on 07 and 08/XII.

About rare and scarce migrants, Black-necked Grebes have been observed at Janubio salt pans (4 birds on 22/XII, 3 birds on 25/XII, 6 birds (the highest number ever seen) observed by J. Sagardía on 28/XII and again 4 birds on 29/XII), Common Teals were seen at Janubio salt pans too (3 birds on 05/XII, 3 birds on 13/XII, 2 birds on 25/XII, 4 birds on 28/XII and 2 birds on 29/XII), Eurasian Marsh Harrier (1 bird at Haría on 07/XII), Lesser Kestrel (1 bird near Los Cocoteros salt pans and 1 bird at Famara plains (J. Sagardía) on 04/XII and 8 birds at Montaña Blanca (J. Sagardía) on 26/XII), Common Coot (the bird at Tías golf course have remained there into January), Eurasian Oystercatcher (1 bird at Janubio on 22/XII), Red Knot at Janubio, Little Stint (birds at Los Cocoteros and Janubio), Curlew Sandpiper (birds at Janubio), Eurasian Curlew (1 bird at Janubio on 22/XII), Green Sandpiper (1 bird at Arrecife on 07/XII), Great Black-backed Gull (1 1st. c.y. bird observed by J. Sagardía at Arrecife on 05/XII), Meadow Pipits have been observed in low numbers at Tías golf course, Grey Wagtails at Arrecife, Black Redstarts at El Bosquecillo on 07/XII and 3 birds that I observed at Caleta de Sebo-La Graciosa on 21/XII, Redwings at El Bosquecillo, Teguise and Los Valles, European Serin (2 or 3 birds at El Bosquecillo on 07/XII) and European Greenfinch (7 birds near Teguise golf course on 04/XII).

About breeding birds, is interesting the observation made by J. Sagardía of about 30 nests of Little Shearwater and about 60 nests of Madeiran Storm-petrel near El Golfo coast.

DECEMBER 2008 COMPLETE LIST

Black-necked Grebe

Black-necked Grebe. Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Little Shearwater

Madeiran Storm-petrel

Cattle Egret

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Common Teal

Common Teal. Janubio salt pans. Photo: J. Sagardía

Eurasian Marsh Harrier

Lesser Kestrel

Common Kestrel

Barbary Falcon

Barbary Partridge

Common Coot

Houbara Bustard

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Black-winged Stilt

Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover (partially albino bird). Janubio salt pans. Photo: J. Sagardía

Kentish Plover

Grey Plover

Grey Plover. Janubio salt pans. Photo: J. Sagardía

Red Knot

Sanderling

Little Stint

Little Stint. Janubio salt pans. Photo: J. Sagardía

Curlew Sandpiper

Dunlin

Bar-tailed Godwit

Whimbrel

Eurasian Curlew

Common Redshank

Common Greenshank

Green Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Mediterranean Gull

Mediterranean Gull. Arrecife. Photo: J. Sagardía

Mediterranean Gull. Arrecife. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Black-headed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull. Arrecife. Photo: J. Sagardía

Sandwich Tern

Eurasian Collared Dove

Laughing Dove

Ring-necked Parakeet

Hoopoe

Lesser Short-toed Lark

Berthelot´s Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Grey Wagtail

White Wagtail

European Robin

Black Redstart

Black Redstart. El Bosquecillo-Haría. Photo: J. Sagardía

Fieldfare

Fieldfare. El Bosquecillo-Haría. Photo: F. J. García Vargas (only record shot)

Song Thrush

Song Thrush. El Bosquecillo-Haría. Photo: J. Sagardía

Redwing

Redwing. El Bosquecillo-Haría (bird at flight: near Teguise golf course). Photos: J. Sagardía

Spectacled Warbler

Spectacled Warbler. El Bosquecillo-Haría. Photo: J. Sagardía

Sardinian Warbler (many singing males that I observed at Caleta de Sebo-La Graciosa on 21/XII)

Blackcap (including 1 female that I observed at Caleta de Sebo-La Graciosa on 21/XII)

Blackcap. Uga. Photo: J.Sagardía

Common Chiffchaff

Common Chiffchaff. Uga. Photo: J. Sagardía

Willow Warbler

Shouthern Grey Shrike

Common Raven

Common Raven. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Common Starling

Spanish Sparrow

European Serin

Canary

European Greenfinch

Common Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

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Wednesday, December 3, 2008 - NOVEMBER 2008 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

On November 2008, two new species have been added to our list: Semipalmated Sandpiper (1 bird present at Tías golf course between 01 and 04/XI). A photopage of this bird can be seen here. Eurasian Woodcock (1 bird observed by F. J. García Vargas and A. Unquiles Cobos at Los Valles on 23/XI).

About other rarities, 5 Mediterranean Gulls were detected at Arrecife on 15/XI and our second Yellow-browed Warbler was present at Uga between 02 and at least 16/XI. A photopage of this bird can be seen here.

About rare and scarce migrants, 1 Common Teal was observed at Tías golf course on 01/XI and another was present at Janubio salt pans on 16 and 21/XI. 1 Common Buzzard was seen at Famara plains on 09/XI and I observed 4 Lesser Kestrels at Haría the same day. 1 Common Coot was observed at Tías golf course on 16/XI, remaining there into December. This is our second Common Coot at Lanzarote and the first was seen last year, after a century without records of this species in the island.

1 Eurasian Oystercatcher was seen at Janubio salt pans on 02/XI, Little Stints were present at Janubio and Los Cocoteros salt pans, 1 Green Sandpiper was observed at Tías golf course between 20 and 22/XI, 1 Wood Sandpiper was observed at Los Cocoteros on 06/XI and 1 Grey Wagtail was seen at Arrecife on 15/XI.

3 Ring Ouzels were observed at El Bosquecillo (Haría) on 09/XI. These birds were detected there by Gerardo García Casanova (AVES EN CANARIAS) on 08/XI. I would like to thank him for the information. This is a very good year for Ring Ouzels in Lanzarote, because I observed 2 birds at Los Valles on 09/XI, and a new bird was observed by F. J. García Vargas and A. Unquiles Cobos at La Florida on 23/XI. This last bird was detected there by A. Unquiles Cobos some days before.

NOVEMBER 2008 COMPLETE LIST

Cory´s Shearwater

Cattle Egret

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Common Teal

Common Teal. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Common Buzzard

Lesser Kestrel

Common Kestrel

Barbary Falcon

Common Coot

Common Coot. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Black-winged Stilt

Stone-curlew

Ringed Plover

Kentish Plover

Grey Plover

Sanderling

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Semipalmated Sandpiper. Tías golf course. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Little Stint

Curlew Sandpiper

Dunlin

Eurasian Woodcock

Bar-tailed Godwit

Whimbrel

Common Redshank

Common Greenshank

Green Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Mediterranean Gull

Black-headed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Sandwich Tern

Eurasian Collared Dove

Ring-necked Parakeet

Barn Owl

Barn Owl. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Hoopoe

Lesser Short-toed Lark

Sky Lark

Berthelot´s Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Grey Wagtail

White Wagtail

European Robin

Ring Ouzel

Ring Ouzel. El Bosquecillo-Haría. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Song Thrush

Yellow-browed Warbler

Yellow-browed Warbler. Uga. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Common Chiffchaff

Common Chiffchaff. Uga. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Willow Warbler

Southern Grey Shrike

Common Raven

Common Starling

Spanish Sparrow

Common Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

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Monday, November 3, 2008 - THE YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER AT UGA, LANZAROTE

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

In the evening of 02/XI/2008, I detected a little warbler in a garden inside a property at the village of Uga, south of Lanzarote. I could confirm that it was a Yellow-browed Warbler, but I could not take photographs of the bird because the light was very poor. I went to Uga again in the morning of 03/XI and the bird was at the same place. Taking photos of this bird was very difficult because I was behind a wooden fence. This is our second record of Yellow-browed Warbler at Lanzarote, after the bird seen at Puerto del Carmen on February 2008 (there is photopage of this bird here).

NEW

The bird was still present on 04/XI when I went there with Antonio Unquiles and our good friend Juan José Ramos Melo (BIRDING CANARIAS), who came from Tenerife and twitched the Semipalmated Sandpiper and the Yellow-browed Warbler. We could obtain new pics of the bird.

04/XI/2008 PICTURES

Yellow-browed Warbler. Uga. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

03/XI/2008 PICTURES

Yellow-browed Warbler. Uga. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

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Saturday, November 1, 2008 - THE SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER AT TÍAS GOLF COURSE-FIRST FOR LANZAROTE

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

In the morning of 01/XI/2008, under a very bad weather with strong wind and rain, I detected a Semipalmated Sandpiper in one of the shores of the dump at Tías golf course. With this very bad weather and with a very poor light, I could take some pics of the bird, but the rain made me go back home. In the afternoon, the sun was shining and I went again to the golf course, taking better photographs of the bird.

This is (if accepted) the first record of Semipalmated Sandpiper for Lanzarote and the eastern side of the Canary Islands.

Semipalmated Sandpiper. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

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Saturday, November 1, 2008 - OCTOBER 2008 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

This month, about rarities, one Pectoral Sandpiper was seen at Janubio salt pans on 15/X, increasing to 2 birds on 21/X, remaining one bird there until at least 26/X. The Wilson´s Phalarope was seen last time at Janubio salt pans on 21/X and the Blue Rock Thrush was seen again on 06 and 21/X, when I obtained one (horrible) pic of it.

About scarce migrants, ducks have started to arrive, with 1 Common Teal seen by A. Unquiles at Janubio salt pans on 07/X and another bird I observed at Tías golf course on 26/X, remaining there into November. At Tías golf course too, I observed 1 Northern Pintail on 19 and 20/X. 1 Montagu´s Harrier was found dead at San Bartolomé on 13/X. 1 Common Moorhen was seen at Tías golf course between 01 and 20/X. 1 Eurasian Oystercatcher was at Janubio salt pans all month staying there into November, 1 Little Ringed Plover was seen at Tías golf course on 19 and 20/X, 1 European Golden Plover was observed at Tías golf course on 05/X, Red Knots were seen at Janubio and La Santa, Little Stints at Janubio and Los Cocoteros salt pans, Curlew Sandpipers at Janubio and Los Cocoteros, Ruffs at Janubio and Tías golf course, 1 Eurasian Curlew at Órzola on 22/X and 1 Wood Sandpiper at Los Cocoteros salt pans on 18 and 22/X. Another interesting observations was 1 Sand Martin at Tías golf course on 19/X, Tree Pipits at Tías golf course, Grey Wagtails at Arrecife and Tías golf course, Whinchat (1 bird I observed at Tías golf course on 01/X and some birds seen by J. Sagardía at Famara plains on 02 and 04/X), 1 Eurasian Reed Warbler seen by J. Sagardía at Janubio on 01/X, 1 Western Bonelli´s Warbler I saw at Arrecife on 03/X and 2 European Goldfinchs that I observed at Arrecife on 24/X.

OCTOBER 2008 COMPLETE LIST

Cory´s Shearwater

Cattle Egret

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Common Teal

Northern Pintail

Montagu´s Harrier

Common Kestrel

Eleonora´s Falcon

Barbary Falcon

Barbary Partridge

Common Moorhen

Common Moorhen. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Eurasian Oystercatcher. Janubio salt pans. Photo: J. Sagardía

Black-winged Stilt

Stone-curlew

Little Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover

Kentish Plover

European Golden Plover

European Golden Plover. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Grey Plover

Red Knot

Red Knot. Janubio salt pans. Photo: J. Sagardía

Sanderling

Little Stint

Pectoral Sandpiper

Pectoral Sandpiper. Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Curlew Sandpiper

Dunlin

Ruff

Bar-tailed Godwit

Whimbrel

Eurasian Curlew

Common Redshank

Common Greenshank

Wood Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Wilson´s Phalarope

Wison´s Phalarope. Janubio salt pans. Photo: J. Sagardía

Black-headed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Sandwich Tern

Eurasian Collared Dove

European Turtle Dove

Laughing Dove

Ring-necked Parakeet

Plain Swift

Hoopoe

Lesser Short-toed Lark

Sand Martin

Barn Swallow

House Martin

Berthelot´s Pipit

Tree Pipit

Yellow Wagtail

Grey Wagtail

White Wagtail

European Robin

Black Redstart

Whinchat

Whinchat. Famara plains. Photo. J. Sagardía

Northern Wheatear

Blue Rock Thrush

Blue Rock Thrush. Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Eurasian Reed Warbler

Spectacled Warbler

Subalpine Warbler

Common Whitethroat

Western Bonelli´s Warbler

Willow Warbler

Willow Warbler (with Pied Flycatcher). Yaiza. Photo: J. Sagardía. This is migration!

Spotted Flycatcher

Pied Flycatcher

Southern Grey Shrike

Common Starling

Spanish Sparrow

European Goldfinch

Common Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

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Sunday, October 5, 2008 - AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2008 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

First of all I would like to say that there is little information about August because the whole team of BIRDINGLANZAROTE has been on vacation out of the island most of the month.
The only remarkable from August was the presence of 2 Eurasian Oystercatchers detected by A. Unquiles Cobos at Janubio at the end of the month (remaining there into September) and the first Willow Warblers of the autumn migration seen by the same observer.
About September, two new species have been added to our list: Wilson´s Phalarope (1 bird detected by F. J. García Vargas and A. Unquiles Cobos on 24/IX at Janubio salt pans, remaining there into October). This is our "bird of the month" and a special photopage of it can be seen here.

Another new species for our list was Blue Rock Thrush (1 bird that I observed on 26/IX at Janubio was a very amazing record but I couldn´t take photos).
About another rarities, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper was observed by F. J. García Vargas and A. Unquiles Cobos at Tías golf course between 07 and 16/IX, beeing our fourth personal record for the island and the third consecutive at Tías golf course (details and photos of the first two records can be seen here and of the 2007 bird here).

In relation to scarce migrants, the most interesting was: Eurasian Oystercatcher (2 birds were present at Janubio salt pans until at least 07/IX, remaining one bird into October), Red Knot (group of 5 birds at Janubio salt pans since 27/IX and staying there into October), Little Stint (birds at Janubio), Curlew Sandpiper (birds at Janubio too), Ruff (birds at Tías golf course, with 3 birds there on 26/IX), Eurasian Curlew (1 bird I saw at Janubio salt pans on 28/IX), Green Sandpiper (1 bird I observed at Tías golf course on 13/IX), Wood Sandpiper (1 bird I detected at Los Cocoteros salt pans on 10/IX), Alpine Swift (1 bird I saw at Puerto del Carmen on 28/IX), and the passage of passerines with observations of Tree Pipits at Janubio and Tías golf course, Eurasian Reed Warbler at Puerto del Carmen and Janubio and European Goldfinch (some birds I saw at Puerto del Carmen on 26/IX) among others.

SEPTEMBER 2008 COMPLETE LIST

Cory´s Shearwater

Cattle Egret

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Common Kestrel

Barbary Falcon

Barbary Partridge

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Black-winged Stilt

Ringed Plover

Kentish Plover

Grey Plover

Red Knot

Sanderling

Sanderling. Janubio salt pans. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Little Stint

Pectoral Sandpiper

Pectoral Sandpiper. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Pectoral Sandpiper. Tías golf course. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Curlew Sandpiper

Dunlin

Ruff

Ruff. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Bar-tailed Godwit

Whimbrel

Eurasian Curlew

Common Redshank

Common Greenshank

Green Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

Common Sadpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Wilson´s Phalarope

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Sandwich Tern

Eurasian Collared Dove

European Turtle Dove

Ring-necked Parakeet

Plain Swift

Pallid Swift

Alpine Swift

Hoopoe

Lesser Short-toed Lark

Barn Swallow

House Martin

Berthelot´s Pipit

Tree Pipit

Yellow Wagtail

White Wagtail

Blue Rock Thrush

Eurasian Reed Warbler

Eurasian Reed Warbler. Janubio salt pans. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Common Whitethroat

Willow Warbler

Spotted Flycatcher

Pied Flycatcher

Southern Grey Shrike

Spanish Sparrow

European Goldfinch

Common Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

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Thursday, September 25, 2008 - THE WILSON´S PHALAROPE AT JANUBIO, FIRST FOR LANZAROTE

by Francisco Javier García Vargas and Antonio Unquiles Cobos

On 24/IX/2008 F. J. García Vargas and A. Unquiles Cobos detected a Wilson´s Phalarope on the shore of the salt lake of Janubio salt pans. The bird was inside a flock of waders composed of Black-winged Stilts, Curlew Sandpipers, Sanderlings, Common Redshanks and Common Greenshanks. The bird was discovered about 17.50 and the light was a little poor and all the times that we tried to approach the bird it flew hundreds of meters inside the flock of waders. This is the reason why we could not get good pictures of the bird, so we hope that it remains in the place to get best photos.

This is (if accepted) the first record of Wilson´s Phalarope for Lanzarote and the eastern part of the archipelago.

NEW

The bird is relocated at Janubio on 26/IX/2008 (F. J. García Vargas), with bad weather and rain, obtaining new shots (not very good but...)

26/IX/2008 PICTURES

Wilson´s Phalarope. Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

24/IX/2008 PICTURES

Wilson´s Phalarope. Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Wilson´s Phalarope. Janubio salt pans. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

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Sunday, August 3, 2008 - JUNE-JULY 2008 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

During these two boring months, no new species has been added to our list.

About scarce migrants, the only interesting observations was: Eurasian Spoonbill (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía at La Santa on 02/VI), Lesser Kestrel (2 birds seen by J. Sagardía at Zonzamas rubbish dump on 01/VI and 3 birds at the same place on 03/VI), European Bee-eater (a flock of about 30 birds seen by J. Sagardía at Famara plains on 02/VI, 7 birds that I observed at Puerto del Carmen on 15/VI and 2 birds observed by J. Sagardía at Montaña Blanca on 13/VII) and Sand Martin (birds at Tías golf course until 13/VI).

JUNE-JULY 2008 COMPLETE LIST

Cory´s Shearwater

Cattle Egret

Grey Heron

Eurasian Spoonbill

Lesser Kestrel

Lesser Kestrel. Zonzamas rubbish dump. Photo: J. Sagardía

Common Kestrel

Eleonora´s Falcon

Barbary Falcon

Barbary Partridge

Barbary Partridge (with chicks). Los Ancones. Photo: J. Sagardía

Houbara Bustard

Black-winged Stilt

Cream-coloured Courser

Cream-coloured Courser (juv.). Los Ancones. Photo: J. Sagardía

Kentish Plover

Whimbrel

Common Redshank

Ruddy Turnstone

Black-headed Gull (very early observation: 1 juv. observed at Tías golf course on 21/VII)

Yellow-legged Gull

Eurasian Collared Dove

European Turtle Dove

Ring-necked Parakeet

Plain Swift

Pallid Swift

European Bee-eater

Hoopoe

Lesser Short-toed Lark

Sand Martin

Barn Swallow

House Martin

Berthelot´s Pipit

Spectacled Warbler

Spotted Flycatcher (very late observation: 1 bird at Tías golf course on 01/VI)

Southern Grey Shrike

Southern Grey Shrike. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Spanish Sparrow

Common Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

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Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - MAY 2008 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

On May 2008, two new species were added to our island´s list: Red-footed Falcon* (1 ad. male observed by A. Unquiles Cobos and F. J. García Vargas on 26/V at San Bartolomé, there is a special photopage of the bird here) and Great Reed Warbler (1 bird observed by J. Sagardía on 01/V at Teguise).

Another new for Lanzarote and the Canary Islands was the Black-headed Wagtail (1 ad. male observed between 5 and 7/V at Tías golf course). A special photopage of this bird can be seen here.

Another rarities were the following species: Short-toed Eagle (1 bird observed by A. Unquiles on 12/V at Teguise golf course), Temminck´s Stint (the bird at Tías golf course remained there until 05/V), European Scops Owl (1 bird observed by J. Sagardía and F. J. García Vargas on 11/V at Teguise) and Common Grasshopper Warbler (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía on 01/V at Teguise).

About scarce migrants were interesting the observations of Squacco Heron at Arrecife and Tías golf course, Purple Heron (2 birds seen by J. Sagardía on 01/V at Arrecife, remaining there until at least 13/V), White Stork (flock of 8 birds seen by A. Unquiles on 29/V flying over Playa Honda), Eurasian Marsh Harrier at Arrecife and Famara plains, Montagu´s Harrier (birds at Famara plains), Osprey (1 bird observed by A. Unquiles on 04/V at Tías golf course probably was a bird on migration), Lesser Kestrel (at least 3 birds near Zonzamas rubbish dump, remaining there into June), Common Moorhen at Tías golf course, Eurasian Oystercatcher (1 bird at Janubio on 09 and 12/V), Collared Pratincole (2 birds at Arrecife and 3 birds at Tías golf course), Little Ringed Plovers at Tías golf course too, European Golden Plover (6 or 7 birds observed by F. J. García Vargas on 09/V at Janubio salt pans), Common Snipe (birds at Tías golf course and the farm at Famara plains), Wood Sandpiper (birds at Janubio, Tías golf course, tha farm at Famara plains, Arrecife and Los Cocoteros salt pans), Common Cuckoo (2 birds seen by J. Sagardía at Famara plains on 01/V), European Bee-eater, European Roller (1 bird at Tías golf course between 05 and 11/V), Greater Short-toed Lark (2 birds observed by F. J. García Vargas and J. Sagardía on 05/V at Tías golf course), Sand Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Tree Pipit, Red-throated Pipit (birds at Tías golf course and 1 bird at Arrecife on 12/V), Common Nightingale (1 bird observed by J. Sagardía on 01/V at Teguise), Whinchat, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Western Olivaceous Warbler (1 bird at Teguise between 03 and 15/V), Western Bonelli´s Warbler, Eurasian Golden Oriole (a group of about 10 birds between 01 and 04/V at gardens inside some properties at Famara plains) and Woodchat Shrike.

*We would like to thank DANIEL FAMILIAR MORSE for giving us the information about this bird.

MAY 2008 LANZAROTE COMPLETE LIST

Cory´s Shearwater

Squacco Heron

Squacco Heron. Arrecife. Photo: J. Sagardía

Cattle Egret

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Purple Heron

White Stork

Egyptian Vulture

Short-toed Eagle

Short-toed Eagle. Teguise golf course. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Eurasian Marsh Harrier

Montagu´s Harrier

Osprey

Osprey. Tías golf course. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Lesser Kestrel

Common Kestrel

Red-footed Falcon

Eleonora´s Falcon

Barbary Falcon

Barbary Partridge

Common Moorhen

Houbara Bustard

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Black-winged Stilt

Stone-curlew

Cream-coloured Courser

Collared Pratincole

Little Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover

Kentish Plover

European Golden Plover

Grey Plover

Sanderling

Little Stint

Temminck´s Stint

Temminck´s Stint. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Temminck´s Stint. Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Curlew Sandpiper

Dunlin

Common Snipe

Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit. Janubio salt pans. Photo: J. Sagardía

Whimbrel

Common Redshank

Common Greenshank

Green Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper. Farm at Famara plains. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Common Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Yellow-legged Gull

Sandwich Tern

Eurasian Collared Dove

European Turtle Dove

Common Cuckoo

Common Cuckoo. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

European Scops Owl

European Scops Owl. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Plain Swift

Pallid Swift

European Bee-eater

European Roller

European Roller. Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Hoopoe

Greater Short-toed Lark

Greater Short-toed Lark. Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Lesser Short-toed Lark

Sand Martin

Barn Swallow

Red-rumped Swallow

House Martin

Berthelot´s Pipit

Tree Pipit

Red-throated Pipit

Yellow Wagtail (including flava, flavissima, iberiae, thunbergi, cinereocapilla and feldegg)

White Wagtail

Common Nightingale

Whinchat

Northern Wheatear

Common Grasshopper Warbler

Common Grashopper Warbler. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Eurasian Reed Warbler

Eurasian Reed Warbler. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Great Reed Warbler

Western Olivaceous Warbler

Western Olivaceous Warbler. Teguise. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Western Olivaceous Warbler. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Melodious Warbler

Spectacled Warbler

Subalpine Warbler

Common Whitethroat

Western Bonelli´s Warbler

Wood Warbler

Willow Warbler

Spotted Flycatcher

Pied Flycatcher

Eurasian Golden Oriole

Eurasian Golden Oriole. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Eurasian Golden Oriole. Famara plains. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Southern Grey Shrike

Woodchat Shrike

Spanish Sparrow

Common Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

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Tuesday, May 27, 2008 - THE RED-FOOTED FALCON AT SAN BARTOLOMÉ, LANZAROTE

by Antonio Unquiles Cobos and Francisco Javier García Vargas

On 26/V/2008 a birdwatcher who is living at Lanzarote informed to J. Sagardía by an email about the presence of a Red-footed Falcon at San Bartolomé. J. Sagardía (who is out of the island at the moment) told us this amazing new and we go there trying to find it.

Finally, between 18.00 and 18.30, we could see the bird, a beautiful adult male. We could take some pics of the bird and it was so difficult because the light was very poor. The bird was very active, haunting insects and we could see how it robbed some preys to the Common Kestrels from their feets and how the gulls were constantly attacking it. At least an adult male Lesser Kestrel was at the area too.

We enjoyed very much the observation of this first for our personal list, and we hope you enjoy the photos.

Red-footed Falcon. San Bartolomé. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Red-footed Falcon (with Lesser Kestrel). San Bartolomé. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Red-footed Falcon. San Bartolomé. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Red-footed Falcon. San Bartolomé. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

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Friday, May 9, 2008 - BLACK-HEADED WAGTAIL AT TÍAS GOLF COURSE. FIRST FOR THE CANARY ISLANDS

by Juan Sagardía Pradera, Francisco Javier García Vargas and Antonio Unquiles Cobos

On 05/V/2008, J. Sagardía detected an adult male of Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg at Tías golf course. F. J. García Vargas and J. Sagardía visited again this place the same day in the afternoon and the bird was still there, being observed again by F. J. García Vargas and A. Unquiles Cobos on 07/V/2008.

The bird was very shy and nervous, flying at a long distance and was very difficult to take photographs of it.

This is an extreme vagrant to the Canary Islands and (if accepted) it will be the first record for the archipelago.

Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg. Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

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Monday, May 5, 2008 - APRIL 2008 LANZAROTE REPORT: THE SPECTACLE OF MIGRATION

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

On April 2008, we could enjoy the most spectacular migration we have ever seen in Lanzarote, with the irruption of hundreds of birds all around the island.

With this great variety, three new species have been added to our personal list: Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin (1 bird detected by F. J. García Vargas y A. Unquiles on 26/IV near Teguise golf course, beeing a very long awaited first for the list and one of the highlights of the month), Black-eared Wheatear (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía on 02/IV at Famara plains) and Fieldfare (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía at Guatiza on 02/IV).

About rarities, is remarkable the presence of 2 Pallid Harriers seen by J. Sagardía on 04/IV at Famara plains, beeing the second and third for the island, all seen on the same spring and by the same (lucky) observer. A Temminck´s Stint was seen by F. J. García Vargas, A. Unquiles and J. Sagardía at Tías golf course between 02 and 04/IV and again on 30/IV remaining there into May. The bird shows a ring on the right leg.

Water Pipits were present at Tías golf course until at least 01/IV, and there, was seen by F. J. García Vargas and A. Unquiles a new Citrine Wagtail, this time an adult female on 12/IV. This is the second bird of this spring after the adult male seen in a farm at Famara plains on March and a photopage of the bird can be seen on this blog. An adult male Ortolan Bunting was seen by J. Sagardía on 04/IV at Famara plains and an adult female was seen the same day by the same observer near Teguise golf course.

About rare and scarce migrants, Black-crowned Night Heron (3 birds seen by A. Unquiles on 19/IV at Mala reservoir), Squacco Heron (2 birds I saw on 30/IV at Tías golf course), Purple Heron (1 bird near Teguise golf course on 01/IV, 5 birds at the same place on 02/IV and 1 bird at Arrecife seen first time on 06/IV remaining there into May), Pintail (1 adult male seen by J. Sagardía on 01 and 02/IV at Los Cocoteros salt pans), Black Kite (1 bird at Mala reservoir on 04/IV, 4 birds at Zonzamas rubbish dump on the same day, 5 birds at the same place one day after and 2 birds still there on 23/IV), Eurasian Marsh Harrier (birds at Arrecife, Famara plains, Mala reservoir, Tías and Teguise golf courses), Montagu´s Harrier (2 birds at Famara plains 02/IV, a spectacular flock of at least 25 birds at the same place on 04/IV, and 3 birds still there on 13/IV remaining some birds into May), Lesser Kestrel (bird still at Famara plains until at least 02/IV), Common Moorhen (birds at Arrecife and Tías golf course), Eurasian Oystercatcher (1 bird at Janubio salt pans on 25/IV), Collared Pratincole (1 bird near Teguise golf course on 02/IV, 2 birds in a farm at Famara plains on 06/IV and 1 bird at Tías golf course on 25/IV increasing to 3 on 30/IV remaining there into May), Little Ringed Plover (birds at Tías golf course), Little Stint (a strong passage of birds starting on 28/IV with a flock of more than 20 birds in summer plumage at Janubio salt pans), Eurasian Curlew (birds at Janubio), Wood Sandpiper (the highest number of birds ever seen with 4 birds at Janubio, 10 birds at Tías golf course and 6 birds in the farm at Famara plains, remaining a good number into May), Gull-billed Tern (1 bird I saw at Caleta de Famara on 10/IV), Wood Pigeon (2 birds seen by J. Sagardía on 03/IV at Teguise golf course), Alpine Swift (1 bird I saw on 25/IV at Janubio), European Bee-eater (the highest numbers ever seen, with birds all aroud the island, sometimes in flocks of more than 50 birds), European Roller (1 bird near Teguise golf course on 25/IV increasing to 2 on 26/IV), Eurasian Wryneck (1 bird seen by A. Unquiles on 28/IV in the farm at Famara plains), and an spectacular passage of passerines including as more remarkable species: Tawny Pipit (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía on 01/IV at Famara plains), Tree pipit (birds all around the island), Red-throated Pipit (birds at Tías golf course, remaining there into May), Common Nightingale (birds near Teguise golf course and the farm at Famara plains), Whinchat (birds all aroud the island), Redwing (birds until at least 02/IV near Teguise golf course), Western Bonelli´s Warbler, Eurasian Golden Oriole (1 adult male near Teguise golf course on 21/IV and an adult female on 26/IV at the same place) and Woodchat Shrike.

APRIL 2008 LANZAROTE COMPLETE LIST

Cory´s Shearwater

Black-crowned Night Heron

Black-crowned Night Heron. Mala reservoir. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Squacco Heron

Squacco Heron. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Cattle Egret

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Purple Heron

Purple Heron. Arrecife. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Pintail

Pintail. Los Cocoteros salt pans. Photo: J. Sagardía

Black Kite

Black Kite. Zonzamas rubbish dump. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Egyptian Vulture

Eurasian Marsh Harrier

Eurasian Marsh Harrier. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Pallid Harier

Pallid Harrier. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Montagu´s Harrier

Montagu´s Harrier. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Lesser Kestrel

Common Kestrel

Barbary Falcon

Barbary Partridge

Common Moorhen

Common Moorhen. Arrecife. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Common Moorhen. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Houbara Bustard

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Black-winged Stilt

Stone-curlew

Cream-coloured Courser

Collared Pratincole

Collared Pratincole. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Collared Pratincole. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Little Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover

Kentish Plover

Grey Plover

Sanderling

Little Stint

Temminck´s Stint

Temminck´s Stint. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Temminck´s Stint. Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Curlew Sandpiper

Dunlin

Bar-tailed Godwit

Whimberl

Eurasian Curlew

Common Redshank

Common Greenshank

Green Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Common Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Black-headed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Gull-billed Tern

Sandwich Tern

Wood Pigeon

Eurasian Collared Dove

European Turtle Dove

Plain Swift

Common Swft

Pallid Swift

Alpine Swift

Alpine Swift. Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

European Bee-eater

European Bee-eater. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

European Roller

European Roller. Teguise. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Hoopoe

Eurasian Wryneck

Eurasian Wryneck. Farm at Famara plains. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Lesser Short-toed Lark

Sand Martin

Barn Swallow

Red-rumped Swallow

House Martin

Tawny Pipit

Tawny Pipit. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Berthelot´s Pipit

Tree Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Red-throated Pipit

Red-throated Pipit. Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Water Pipit

Yellow Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail (ssp. cinereocapilla). Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Yellow Wagtail (ssp. thunbergi). Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Yellow Wagtail (ssp. flavissima). Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Yellow Wagtail (ssp. flava). Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Yellow Wagtail. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Citrine Wagtail

Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin

Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin. Teguise. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin. Teguise. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Common Nightingale

Common Redstart

Common Redstart. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Whinchat

Whinchat. Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Northern Wheatear

Black-eared Weathear

Fieldfare

Song Thrush

Redwing

Redwing. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Melodious Warbler

Melodious Warbler. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Spectacled Warbler

Subalpine Warbler

Subalpine Warbler. Teguie. Photo: J. Sagardía

Common Whitethroat

Common Whitethroat. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Western Bonelli´s Warbler

Western Bonelli´s Warbler. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Wood Warbler

Wood Warbler. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Willow Warbler

Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher. Yaiza. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Pied Flycatcher

Pied Flycatcher. Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Eurasian Golden Oriole

Eurasian Golden Oriole. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Southern Grey Shrike

Woodchat Shrike

Woodchat Shrike. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Common Raven

Common Starling

Spanish Sparrow

Common Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

Ortolan Bunting

Ortolan Bunting. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

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Monday, April 14, 2008 - A NEW CITRINE WAGTAIL AT TIAS GOLF COURSE-LANZAROTE

by Francisco Javier García Vargas and Antonio Unquiles Cobos

On 12/IV/2008, and adult female Citrine Wagtail was detected at Tías golf course. The bird was near the lake of the golf course, accompanied by two Yellow Wagtails. This is the second bird of this spring, after the ad. male seen at the farm of Famara plains last month (you can see a photopage of this bird here), the third for Lanzarote and the fourth for Canary Islands. An exceptional year for this species in Lanzarote. Or are Citrine Wagtails less rare in Canary Islands than we have expected? Only time will tell.

Citrine Wagtail. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Citrine Wagtail (with Yellow Wagtail). Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Citrine Wagtail. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

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About Me

Francisco Javier García Vargas, Juan Sagardía Pradera and Antonio Unquiles Cobos have been birdwatching in Lanzarote (Canary Islands) the last six years, making a list of the birds observed in the island since 2002. In this blog we show the results of our observations on breeding birds, passage migrants, winter visitors and vagrants of the island. On the other hand, we try this blog can help to all birdwatchers who want to visit Lanzarote.